As most of you know, activists in the North West, and in California’s bay are facing political repression in the form of grand juries. Most of these folks have decided to resist the grand jury, stating that they invoke their 5th amendment right to remain silent because they feel the grand jury is seeking information designed to infringe or chill on their rights and the movement in general. A number of people have already gone before the grand jury with mixed outcomes; some have been excused, and unfortunately a couple resisters have been re-subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury at a later date.

Leah-Lynn Plante was subpoenaed to go before the grand jury on August 2nd. She stated her name, and was then excused after stating that she did not plan on answering any further questions that the US attorney asked her. Before she could leave, she was re-subpoenaed to appear again at the end of August. That date got pushed back and now Leah and the others are set to appear Thursday, September 13th.

We got word that the Assistant US Attorney who is in charge of this grand jury has most likely granted immunity for one, if not both of the resisters for September 13th. When given immunity, they are not allowed to invoke their 5th amendment right to remain silent. That means that it is likely they’ll be taken from the grand jury room to a contempt hearing. After the contempt hearing, they can go to jail for the remainder of the investigation. Grand juries are closed to the public, but contempt hearings are not! If you’re coming to Seattle already that day for the solidarity demo, please be prepared to go inside to pack the courtroom for any contempt hearings that may happen. You’ll need photo ID and court-appropriate clothes. Let’s show Leah and the rest of the subpeanuts that we’re with them, every step of the way!!

Folks resisting the grand jury have a network of support both locally, and nationally. Here are some ways you can help out!